News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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An environmental group that sued to force changes at Grand Coulee Dam says it has reached a settlement with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Columbia Riverkeeper announced last week that the Bureau had agreed to investigate the possibility of replacing petroleum oil-based lubricants with “eco-friendly lubricants” or switch to using non-lubricated equipment in places where those lubricants touch the water. The settlement is based on a similar outcome in 2014 when the group settled a suit against the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. That agency has... Full story
Let’s start out with a quick look back at 2016 weather, shall we? What really stands out for me in 2016 was the amount of precipitation we received. Our area averages 10.55 inches annually. Well, that changed and will likely change the overall average as well. We had three months with really good precipitation — January: 2.15 inches as measured by my personal weather station (1.90 inches as measured by the official weather station at the Bureau of Reclamation), March: 2.70 inches (1.82) and October: 3.60 inches (3.98). Our total pre... Full story
The POWER program to feed game birds in the winter will soon end. Lack of “manpower” is finally catching up to the longtime program by POWER (Promoters of Wildlife and Environmental Resources). Carl Russell, longtime president of the organization, said that when the final sacks of feed are distributed, the program will end. Some 59 small backyard feeders are scattered around the community along with 15 large feeders, and have been a food refuge for quail and other game birds for over 20 years, Russell stated. Russell recently resigned as pre... Full story
School enrollment up The average enrollment at Lake Roosevelt Schools for December was 714, according to school officials. The district had budgeted for an average of 690 for this school year. Street carts still being considered The Grand Coulee City Council is still considering allowing golf carts, ATVs and ORVs to roll on city streets. Some council members are leery of allowing the carts because of highway traffic. The carts wouldn’t be allowed to drive on the highways, but could cross only at designated areas. Police Chief John Tufts told t... Full story
It had never been done here before, but by the time they pulled it off, about 250 hospital employees were trained in what to do if an "active shooter" ever enters Coulee Medical Center. No one knew exactly what scenario would play out or how long it would take Nov. 5, when the hospital's parking lot looked like a law enforcement/fire/EMS show of force. Multiple agencies from across the region wanted the chance to learn how to respond to such an event in a facility like a hospital, which cannot... Full story
Wayne Stewart Rawley passed away quietly on Sunday, November 20, 2016. Wayne spent his last years at Golden Years Retirement Home in Riverside, Washington, where he was lovingly cared for by Mandy and Ryan Holtz. Wayne was born on July 5, 1927, in Bridgeport, Washington, to John and Ruth Rawley. Wayne, his brother Stanley, and their parents moved to Tonasket where their parents worked for the local telephone company. After his parents divorced, Wayne, Stanley and their mother moved to Mason... Full story
A fire late Monday morning at 415 North Columbia in Coulee Dam damaged the rear area of a garage at the home of Tim Wilging. The fire brought trucks from Electric City, Grand Coulee and the Bureau of Reclamation. The fire was quickly extinguished and the cause of the fire was not determined. - Roger Lucas photo... Full story
The Bureau of Reclamation Grand Coulee Dam is anticipating construction of its new fire station this spring, but there will be several changes before construction begins, the agency said in a press release. On Nov. 21, the speed limit will be lowered from 40 mph to 30 mph on the section of SR-155 that passes the Grand Coulee Industrial Area facilities, where heavy equipment and construction vehicles will enter and exit the highway at Industrial Road for approximately 18 months after... Full story
Lynn M Jackson, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, November 6, in Spokane, Washington, surrounded by family. Lynn grew up on a farm and graduated in 1943 from Sunfield High School in Michigan. After serving two years in the Army, he and his bride moved to Washington where he furthered his education, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1953 from Eastern Washington College of Education. Lynn taught school in Clarkston and Grand Coulee, Washington, before accepting a job as a pipefitter... Full story
The Bureau of Reclamation is extending the public comment period for a proposed multi-year powerplant overhaul project at two Grand Coulee Dam powerhouses. The initial 30-day comment period ended Nov. 7; however, at the public’s request, it has been extended to Nov. 21. Reclamation is requesting public and agency input to help identify issues to be addressed in an environmental assessment for the proposed project to overhaul the 18 generating units in the left and right powerhouses. The 18 generating units and three station service units h... Full story
A trailer fire destroyed an older residence at 306 Burdin Boulevard last Wednesday morning. One firefighter, Jerry Sands, said Grand Coulee was the second fire department to respond, with the Bureau of Reclamation fire truck arriving at the scene moments earlier. The mobile home, sandwiched between other trailers, was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. Several fire departments responded, and police provided control on Burdin Boulevard. The fire started just before 6:30 a.m., and other... Full story
Coulee Dam's Candy Point trail is getting a makeover from the Washington Trails Association. This past weekend, 10-15 volunteers from all over Washington worked on clearing brush along the Candy Point Trail, starting behind town hall, where a lesser-known trailhead has become overgrown with brush over the years. Workers pruned branches and hauled them back to the trailhead, where the vegetation awaited wood chipping by the town crew before being hauled off. The trail was built in 1937 by the Civ... Full story
The three federal agencies whose dams control the Columbia River system are rethinking the whole complex process, and that should make everyone pay close attention. Next Tuesday, the Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers and the Bonneville Power Administration will hold in Coulee Dam the second in a series of 15 public meetings from Wenatchee to Missoula to Astoria inviting the public to comment on the scope of work to include as it launches another massive effort to rethink the system in favor of ensuring endangered fish survival.... Full story
The Bureau of Reclamation is inviting the public to comment on a proposed multiyear powerplant overhaul project at two Grand Coulee Dam powerhouses. During the 30-day comment period that ends Nov. 7, the public is encouraged to identify issues and concerns to be addressed in an Environmental Assessment on the proposed modernization and overhaul of all the generators in the Left and Right Powerhouses, a press release issued Oct. 7 said. The 18 generating units and three station service units have been in operation for over 70 years and are... Full story
The first annual Breast Cancer fun walk/run was a success. Over 100 people registered for the event but due to other commitments and the cooler weather not all were able to participate. We would like to thank all our sponsors: monetary — A. J. Gerard, Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union and Costco (north Spokane branch). Food Donations: Safeway for the water, Ed’s Meats for wieners and Franz bread for the hot dog buns. Gift Certificates: Loepp Furniture, Hometown Pizza, Coulee Hardware, Pepper Jack’s, Café Espresso, Fusion Café, R&A Café, LaPresa,... Full story
Two Ice Age floods hikes and lectures are scheduled for the Grand Coulee area within the coming week. The hikes and lectures are part of several Cheney-Spokane Chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institutes efforts to give interested parties a hands-on experience to learn about the floods that scoured the area about 15,000 years ago. Saturday, Oct. 8, beginning at 9:30 a.m., two geologists-authors, Gene Kiver and Bruce Bjornstad, will lead a hike and provide information on a 7.2-mile trek up Northrup Canyon to the lake and back. The hike is listed... Full story
A woman's home in east Coulee Dam caught fire Friday evening, drawing a quick response from every local fire department. Susan Lynch's house at 611 Birch Street drew 11 fire engines, first responder vehicles and ambulances when the call went out at 6:10 p.m. "People keep telling me it can all be replaced," Lynch said, watching firefighters answer with torrents of water flames coming from inside her home, "but it can't." Lynch said photos and annuals can't be replaced, and she worried whether... Full story
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Columbia Basin Hydropower Project No. 14329-002 NOTICE OF INTENT TO FILE LICENSE APPLICATION, FILING OF PRE-APPLICATION DOCUMENT, APPROVING USE OF THE TRADITIONAL LICENSING PROCESS (August 31, 2016) a. Type of Filing: Notice of Intent to File License Application and Request to Use the Traditional Licensing Process. b. Project No.: 14329-002 c. Date Filed: June 27, 2016 d. Submitted By: Columbia Basin Hydropower e. Name of Project: Banks Lake Pumped Storage Project f. Location: On... Full story
Two large airplanes were on the tarmac at the local airport last Thursday morning. One, a Metroliner owned by the Army Corps of Engineers out of Omaha, Nebraska, and the other a King Air 350 that brought a number of Bonneville Power Administration officials from Portland for a tour of Grand Coulee Dam. The Metroliner is configured for 19 passengers and brought a group of Army Corps officials for a tour of Chief Joseph Dam. Later, a second King Air plane arrived from Boise to transport a number... Full story
Early deadline for Labor Day The Star newspaper will be closed Monday for the Labor Day holiday. Deadline for news and advertising for the Sept. 7 newspaper is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2. Parent night at LR schools tonight Tonight (Wednesday) is parent night at Lake Roosevelt Schools from 5-7 p.m. A representative from Hoffman’s Music of Spokane will be on hand in the elementary cafeteria to talk about renting or purchasing a musical instrument. Anyone wishing to sponsor a student’s rental for the year can call Karen Pace at 633-1442 or email her... Full story
The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $19 million contract to replace and upgrade two pump-generating units at Grand Coulee Dam, the bureau announced Monday in a press release. The contract awarded Aug. 11 to American Hydro, of York, Pennsylvania, calls for replacing and updating equipment for pump generating units 5 and 6 at the John W. Keys III Pump Generating Plant. “This effort is pivotal to the infrastructure modernization at the Keys Plant,” said Reclamation Commissioner Estevan López. “The pump units will provide greater effici... Full story
EPHRATA, Washington - The Bureau of Reclamation is alerting users of Scooteney Park recreation area, located 36 miles south of Moses Lake on Highway 17, that the Benton Franklin Health District has identified a toxic algae bloom on Scooteney Reservoir. The Health District is warning that current algae levels are not safe for humans or animals and could be deadly. Warning signs stating that all people and pets remain out of the water have been posted around the reservoir. Scooteney Park campgrounds and recreation area remains open, as do... Full story
Roads leading to the Bureau of Reclamation's east gate near Pole Park are closed today (Thursday) from 10 a.m. until about 3 p.m., the USBR said. Industrial Road from highway 155 and B Street are closed from Division Street. Potential contractors who may bid on building a new Reclamation Fire Station will be at the Grand Coulee facilities for an on-site visit....
Councilmember resigns Erin Nielson has resigned his position on Grand Coulee’s city council. Nielson was in his second four-year term and submitted a resignation letter to the city this past week. Nielson, a Bureau of Reclamation employee, stated that he has taken a job in Boise, Idaho. EDC excited to work with city Economic Development Councilmember Bob Valen said last week that he was encouraged by Grand Coulee’s planning commission interest in their ideas. He told the chamber of commerce that the EDC had been “received very well” when pr... Full story
Grand Coulee 8/5 - USBR Plant Protection told police that there were two men walking around behind the administration building. The officer found two men from a landscaping crew who had proper badges allowing them to be on the property. - Police checked on a report that a “scruffy, tall male” had caused a disturbance at the public library. An officer looked for the man, who had apparently left the area. - A man called police to report the theft of a $500 cell phone. Police are trying to get more information. - A man called police to com... Full story